September 10, 2024 |
Photo – Water pipe removed after water break in Rawlins – Bigfoot99 file photo
Recent water line failures in Rawlins highlighted the need for infrastructure improvement.
Over the Labor Day weekend, multiple water main breaks on the east side of Rawlins resulted in many residents and businesses being without water.
At the September 3rd Rawlins city council meeting, City Manager Tom Sarvey began his presentation by thanking crews for working hard on the water main breaks. Sarvey said workers stayed long into the night and came back early the next morning to repair the broken pipes.
Sarvey said eight city employees from four different departments helped during the emergency.
Sarvey explained that the city suffered breaks on six different water lines over the Labor Day weekend. The city manager said a pressure reducing valve failed at the Painted Hills tank. The slight increase in water pressure caused the city’s failing pipes to burst in multiple locations.
Rawlins officials have known for many years that the city’s water system needs extensive repairs. In July, a draft water master plan indicated that fixing the transmission lines that transport water from springs and wells south of Rawlins into the city will cost approximately $26 million. Sarvey said the Labor Day water breaks show that in-town water lines need attention as well.
Sarvey said the age and condition of the city’s entire water system is cause for alarm.
On August 30th, the Rawlins city council held a special meeting to approve a Bureau of Land Management zone change request. At that meeting, Sarvey also asked the council to allow him to apply for a $10.3 million Wyoming Water Development Commission grant. The city manager explained that the grant will help pay for the water transmission line repair project.
The council voted to allow Sarvey to submit the grant application.
Back at the September 3rd city council meeting, Sarvey informed the governing body that the application was turned in on time. Now, they must wait until a future Wyoming Water Development Commission meeting to discuss the city’s water needs with the state agency. Sarvey said he does not know when that meeting will occur.
Sarvey said the recent water rate increases will also help the city pay for needed water line improvements. The city manager is also seeking grants from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund and the United States Department of Agriculture.
